An NHS doctor has highlighted seven common household habits that pose serious risks, urging the public to avoid them to prevent trips to A&E. Dr Arthur, a TikTok content creator, shared his list of 'absolute no nos', which includes hard boiled sweets, metal straws, and button batteries.
Hard boiled sweets, particularly toffee or rhubarb and custard varieties, are a top choking hazard, especially for children. Dr Suzanne Wylie, a GP, noted that 1,399 people in the UK died from choking between 2018 and 2022, with 1,097 of those caused by food. She advises avoiding these sweets entirely for younger children.
Metal straws are another danger, as they can cause catastrophic injuries if a child or adult falls while using one. Dr Wylie stated there have been documented cases of fatal impalements, making them an unacceptable risk. Similarly, hard hair clips should be removed before car travel, as they can act as projectiles in a crash, leading to scalp lacerations or skull fractures.
Button batteries are highly corrosive when ingested, causing internal burns within two hours. The Child Accident Prevention Trust reported two child deaths from swallowing these batteries in just 10 months. Dr Arthur also warns against leaving takeaway food unrefrigerated for more than 60 minutes, as it can breed bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli.
Finally, Dr Arthur advises never letting children pet unfamiliar dogs, given that there were 30,539 offences of a dog injuring a person or guide dog in 2023. While some dangers like motorbikes and fireworks are obvious, these seven habits may surprise many.
